Parascent record?

Press, 1 February 1988, Page 3

Parascent record?

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

A Christchurch girl, aged 14, will attempt to break the world parascending height record at Omarama airfield next week-end.

Leona Kent, and her sister, Rebbecca, spent yesterday with friends, family, and members of the Canterbury Parascending Club practising at Lake Ellesmere.' Leona began parascending about six months ago. Parascenders start from the ground and are pulled into the air by a vehicle. Mr Mike Frankum, Leona’s step-father, said that the world record height was about 840 metres (2756 ft Leona, who weighs 54kg, hopes to parascend to 1200 metres, and is optimistic about the attempt. “I’m looking forward to it. The first time I did itwas really horrible, but it’s getting better now.” Leona has parascended to about 540 metres so far and the rest of the family have had plenty of practice. Leona’s sister, Rebbecca, is a qualified instructor and has done about 180 flights.

Mr Frankum himself is an experienced parachutist and was with the Guards Independent Parachute Division, now the British Special Air Services, in the Middle East. He was a keen parascender until a freak accident grounded him. He has full confidence in Leona’s instructor, Mr Leo Kearly, an instructor with the club.

“It is a risk sport but I’m not worried about Leona at all,” he said. He said a cross-wind could cause problems, but

rescue services would be on hand and Leona would be in constant radio contact with the ground. “We want her to go up as high as she can, and release at the record height.” He said if there were problems the rope could be released immediately at both ends. “We’ll make it with the right weather conditions,” he said. Mr Frankum believes .the sport is one of the cheapest for time spent in the air. It is also good for parachutists and skydivers who are learning their sports. The group will use a Land-Rover to tow Leona for the attempt. It will be driven by Mr Nelson and a Canterbury club instruc-

tor, Mr Leo Kearly. The Land-Rover carry ballast to prevent it from being lifted off the ground by the lift generated during the parachute tow. The sport has attracted world-wide interest particularly in Europe. The next target for the group will be the world championships this August in England where they have been held for the last 12 years.

The British have never lost but the New Zealand group hopes to win this year. They are looking for sponsorship for the trip. Teams in the championships must land on a scm disk on the ground, and there are also records for length of time in the air and distance. ’